Free medication, health services in 2005 Budget

Universal access to free medication in the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) and free services at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) were among the highlights in the 2005 National Budget presented by Prime Minister Patrick Manning in Parliament yesterday. The health budget was increased by over $200 million to $1.86 billion (from $1.641 billion last year). During the eight minutes Manning devoted to the health sector, he spoke about plans to increase public accessibility to treatment for various ailments, improve hospitals and health centres, train  medical personnel and address the shortage of nurses and doctors. Despite the problems plaguing the health sector, Manning began by stating Government’s lofty goal — that TT would “enjoy a health care system that will set new standards of quality and accessibility” by 2006. Elaborating on how this will be achieved, Manning said, “The expansion in the scope and eligibility of the CDAP programme by removing the age restrictions now means that over 500,000 of our citizens would benefit at a cost of $50 million.”

Manning said since CDAP was introduced in October 2003, over 50,000 citizens have benefited. Initially offering medication for cardiac disease, diabetes, enlarged prostate, glaucoma and hypertension, the scope of the programme was expanded this year to include arthritis, asthma and depression. In response to what Government viewed as the “inequitable and pernicious system” in which only residents of Mt Hope and surrounding areas received free medial attention at the EWMSC, Manning said, “We shall put a stop to that.” He said with effect from January 1, “All medical services, including the use of the medical facilities offered at the EWMSC, will be free to all nationals of TT.” Manning said accessibility to renal dialysis service would be increased when two renal dialysis treatment centres, in the north and south, became operational. Each centre will treat 200 people. “This will be supplemented by a Renal Transplant Surgery Programme to provide renal surgery at the EWMSC.”

Manning also announced the expansion of the EWMSC to include facilities for treating cataract, glaucoma and a dedicated theatre for all types of eye surgery. He said more heart surgeries would be done at a cardiac centre. The Ministry of Health programme of free open-heart surgery to the indigent will also be expanded. To date, 120 persons have benefited. The Ministry of Health cataract surgery programme, in conjunction with the Ophthalmology Society of TT, which began a few months ago, has performed over 1,600 surgeries. Manning said  the programme would continue at Port-of-Spain and San Fernando General Hospitals (SFGH) with the aim of completely eliminating the waiting list for the procedure. Addressing how Government planned to deal with the shortage of nurses and doctors, Manning said scholarships would be offered next year for training in radiation oncology, pathology and other fields.

He said Government would ensure a continuous supply of registered nurses by training 350 students in the Basic Nursing Education Programme, and post Basic Nursing Education for Registered General and Mental Health Nurses would be available. Government will collaborate with the University of the West Indies to expand the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Mt Hope to increase the intake of doctors and pharmacists. Government will also pursue training of local doctors in Jamaica and Grenada. Manning said that  the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) programme will be expanded to include the cost of accommodation and books for all students. GATE will also extend applicability to include students interested in pursuing medical studies in Jamaica and Grenada. 

Through COSTAATT, “an urgent programme” will be established to provide assistants to doctors and allied professionals. Focusing on upgrade of health facilities, Manning said the new wing at SFGH would be commissioned. It will include an Intensive Care Unit, Burns Unit (it will be equipped this year) and theatres for same-day surgery. Manning announced the continuance of work on the Scarborough Regional Hospital, National Oncology Centre and several district health facilities and enhanced health centres. Upgrade work will begin next year on the Sangre Grande Hospital and construction of the Enhanced Health Centre for Sangre Grande will begin the following year. Construction will begin on the new Point Fortin Hospital next year.